Beyond Pumpkin Spice: A Simple Gesture with Seasonal Pumpkin

Pumpkins have begun to appear at markets, their bold shapes and warm hues signalling the arrival of autumn. They’re more than just a seasonal decoration, they’re one of the most versatile ingredients of the season. Sweet or savoury, rustic or refined, pumpkins carry with them a sense of comfort and abundance.

This week, I was drawn to them not for the centerpiece of a dinner party, but for something smaller and just as meaningful: an office treat. Because sometimes, one of the best ways to appreciate your colleagues is with a surprise baked good.

Pumpkin & Olive Oil Cake

Rather than lean into the usual pumpkin loaf or muffin, I wanted something that felt both familiar and elevated. The result was a Pumpkin & Olive Oil Cake — warmly spiced, tender, and with a depth of flavor that comes from using good olive oil. The pumpkin brings sweetness and moisture, while the olive oil adds a subtle richness that lingers in each bite.

It’s the kind of cake that feels indulgent without being heavy, and simple enough to share with colleagues in the middle of a busy day. Topped with a browned-butter cream cheese icing and sliced, it was gone quickly; proof that sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest impact.

More Than a Flavour Trend

Pumpkin often gets reduced to a trend, but it deserves more than that. It’s part of the squash family, and like its cousins, it’s endlessly adaptable. Roasted with herbs, blended into soups, or baked into sweets, pumpkin is an ingredient that encourages us to celebrate the season in its many forms.

For me, it’s less about pumpkin spice and more about pumpkin as a reminder of what this time of year is about: generosity, sharing, and savoring the abundance of the harvest.

An Invitation to Share

As pumpkins continue to fill the markets, consider picking one up not just for your own table, but for someone else’s. Bake a loaf, fill a jar, or bring a cake to your office or neighbor. Small gestures, made with seasonal ingredients, have a way of making the everyday feel a little more special.

Because food isn’t just about flavour, it’s about connection. And pumpkin, humble and hearty, has a beautiful way of reminding us of that.